"Wait patiently for the Lord.  Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord."  John 11:25-26

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God gives us energy and new life!  Trust in Him to keep you on the right path and to continue giving you the light you need for the step you're on!

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I have sent many people shoe cross charms for their shoes the past several years (I wish I'd kept count - ha!).  Recently, I've gotten several repeat requests for charms (they are not strong enough to last forever!) and I'm delighted to send them (again and again).  If you need a shoe charm -- just email me at shelley@runningforchrist.com  Blessings!

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Runners World Magazine (Dec 2011 Special Readers Issue) - page 74 has a question, "Best running book? "Born to Run" by Christopher McDougal was picked by the most readers.

 

I have not read this book (guess I should) -- but my favorite running book (and I'd highly recommend it for anyone wanting to get into running) -- is Jeff Galloway's "Book on Running".  His program is meant to keep you injury free and he provides training guides for beginners to more advanced runners.  My book is falling apart I've opened it so many times!

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"Heaven is for Real:  A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back"  by Todd Burpo and Lynn Vincent

 

I recently read this book and it is quite touching and inspiring -- I'd highly recommend it ! 

 

Read another great book I'd highly recommend !!

"Running with Joy" by Ryan Hall

 

I found it very inspiring that he's been so vocal about his christianity as an elite runner. It was also very interesting to read about how an elite runner trains and lives on a daily basis. Ryan details every training run from January to April 2010 (most days are doubles) as he trains for the Boston Marathon.

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Check out the new "testimonies" page (just click on it in the ribbon above)!

God works in us every day -- even thru running!

 

Checkout the new "Running for Christ" FACEBOOKPage -- let's inspire others!

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Check it out:

 

-- "Challenge" page link above -- all the 2008 and 2009 efforts to "give back" to others thru our running definitely adds up! 

Thanks to those who participated and donated their time and money.  Also, a special thanks to those who donated dollars in memory of my mother -- very dear to my heart.

-- "Fitness" tips - below

-- "Recipe"

-- "Dieting" tips below

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FITNESS TIPS

Keeping a running log is a great way to track your progress and goals.  There are notebook type logs you can buy or you can just create a simple spreadsheet.  Main thing is to track your miles, note when you buy your shoes, when your mileage goes down due to sickness/travel, etc.  Plus, if you track it cumulative over months/years -- it's great to look back on how many miles you've covered. 

Check out this great new website ! http://www.fitfindr.com 

Set a running goal (if you haven't already) !  (I keep a running log (have for years) and my goal this year is to just run more miles than last year). 

A few things you might consider:

-- Join a running group

-- Find a running partner (even if you can't run together every time you head out the door -- make a running date when you can.  Don't worry about having to run the same speed -- just meet and warm up together and then meet back at the end.  Most of the people I run with are faster than me -- so I always encourage them to take off and I'll catch up with them at the finish)

-- Sign up for a local race

-- Put an "appointment" time on your calendar and save that time to get in a run

-- Buy a new pair of running shoes (you won't want them to go to waste by sitting in your closet - ha!)

RECIPE

Portabella Pizza Bites

By CJ =) Wednesday March 16, 2011

 

This recipe was on the www.Pinterest.com website! Check  it out !

Ingredients:   6 mini Portabella mushrooms (or 2 large Portabella mushroom caps) 1/2 cup marinara sauce (if all you have is a tomato, you can try my Xed Pizza Sauce) 1/2 oz. turkey pepperoni (approx. 6 slices) 2 oz. black olives 3 oz. low-fat Mozzarella cheese 1 egg white

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Clean mushrooms and scoop out the insides and stem with a spoon. Place on baking pan and bake for 7 minutes.  While mushrooms are baking, grate Mozzarella, and combine in a bowl with one egg white. (Usually low-fat cheese has trouble melting, so this technique helps the cheese melt while adding a bit of protein.) Remove mushrooms from oven, and turn the broiler to High. On the mushrooms layer pizza sauce, cheese mixture, olives, and pepperoni slices. Return pan to oven and broil on High for 3 minutes or until cheese has melted and started to brown.

DIETING

Even with running all these years, I've battled to control my weight (guess my running time did not make up for my sitting at a desk 8 hrs a day!).  I've tried most of the diets out there over the years, but I have to say I'd truly recommend Weight Watchers -- if you're interested in losing weight on a healthy eating plan (notice I didn't say diet).  I've used their program before, but in Dec 2010 Weight Watchers came out with a new program and as far as I'm concerned it is fabulous.  It is truly based on healthy eating (lean protein, vegetables, fruits, and high fiber breads, etc.).  You can still have whatever you want to eat (candy, etc.) but they are much higher in points since they are unhealthy calories.  So, by following their program, you reap the benefits of losing weight, having a healthy food intake, and not feeling you're on a diet.   It truly is a long term eating plan you can enjoy.  As of Jun 22, 2011 -- I've lost 30 lbs using the new Weight Watchers eating plan !

Surviving the Weekend (from Runner's World - Apr 2010)

- Think Ahead - bring your own healthy edibles (like trail mix)

- Write it Down - studies show that keeping a food journal can help you lose almost double the weight of non-writers

- Don't skip your Cheerios - Research suggests people who grab a hearty morning meal daily eat fewer calorier later in the day

- Give in - Have a few treats during the week.  Once Saturday comes, you won't feel the desire to binge.

- Get Cooking - Use the weekend to flex your culinary muscles and cook up a new dish.

Even if you can't come to the monthly runs -- you can be with us in spirit!

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